Public participation in innovation policy and programs to enhance social development in developing countries: gap and challenges

Abstract

It is suggested that innovation is a key driver in science and technology world creation. However, most of social development in developing countries lacks proper innovation policy and programs formulation and implementation. The common problem observed is that most of the existing adopted models on innovation policy and innovation program for social development are due to weak and poor public involvement and neglect cultural realities and practices. The main objective of this paper is to come up with a new suggested participatory model for developing an innovation policy and program for the sustainable social development which include entrepreneurship in developing countries. This paper, therefore, discusses the extent of public participation in the innovation policy and program for social development and its related problems and challenges in the context of developing countries. It determines the public participation and roles in implementing and delivering innovation programs mainly entrepreneurship to support the National innovation policy. This paper is prepared based on an extensive review of the literature. The paper asserts that despite many efforts and initiatives undertaken in the innovation policy and program for social development in developing countries, many of these initiatives have not focused on ways to improve the processes of public participation. Thus it suggests that future policy studies accord attention to the participation and involvement of people on developing an innovation policy and program for their social development.